"Damn, this really is me…"
Kael muttered. He had tried moving randomly, acting like no sane man would, but the man on the other side of the mirror did the same. It really was him.
He had even removed his shirt while he was doing his little experiment, and the moment he saw his body, he couldn't help but gulp.
Now, Kael wasn't a narcissist, but…
'Even I'd fuck myself…'
He couldn't help but think inwardly.
Yes, he was a narcissist.
But this time, he couldn't be blamed. He barely recognized himself. Because of all his training that pushed him to death nearly every single day, his body had already developed quite some muscles and looked quite good. It was something that he was very satisfied with,
This was simply absurd. It was as if his body had been rebuilt, sculpted by the finest craftsmen in the world. Every muscle was shaped to absolute perfection—not too bulky, not too lean, but dense, sharp, and defined.
His skin, once covered with natural spots, was now flawless. It looked so smooth that Kael felt like he was looking at himself using a filter. Even his face—his features had become much sharper than before.
And considering Kael was already quite the looker, this change was simply absurd. Even he himself couldn't stop staring at himself.
And it wasn't just his looks that had gotten better. Rather, this seemed like a secondary benefit.
The major change was in his strength.
He clenched his fists and could feel an almost endless amount of strength flowing through his body. It almost felt… inhuman.
He felt lighter and much more agile. Honestly, right now, Kael wanted nothing more than to challenge someone to a duel.
He felt like even taking down Arlan wouldn't be impossible.
'It was all worth it, huh…'
He muttered in his head.
Igni got to level 30 and became absurdly strong. He himself had gone through a rebirth and now had the ability to regenerate.
Not to mention his looks—after all, who didn't like being handsome?
'It was indeed worth it. The Crucible was a good place.'
Kael nodded to himself, satisfied.
But the question was…
Now that he had completed the mission, what's next?
Where would the take him next?
Just as he thought about it, Cirri quickly appeared next to him and started circling around his head.
Kael frowned. This time, he understood what the little Dragon wanted, and of course, he was going to turn her down.
"I think she is ready."
He spoke up for his sister.
Kael was quick to turn him down as well.
At the same time, he also grabbed Cirri, who was circling around his head, trying to act all cute.
No, Kael wouldn't give in.
He still remembered how Igni's body trembled when he went through all that pain, and with his recent experience, he didn't want his daughter to feel any pain.
"Father, she is a Dragon."
"She is a Baby Dragon."
"She will be a baby Dragon for the next ten years. You don't plan to wait that long before you strengthen her, do you?"
"You said it yourself, she is still a child, and you do not want her to get hurt."
Kael countered, recalling how Igni had stopped him before.
"And now I am telling you to consider it."
Igni didn't back down.
"She has already held back for so many days now. I don't think she wouldn't listen no matter how many times you tell her—not after she has seen you perish inside that realm so many times."
The Dragon explained.
"So many times? It only happened twice."
Igni tilted his head.
"You should be glad that she isn't that unreasonable. If it were me, I'd be out here crying the first time it happened."
Igni spoke seriously.
"I have spoiled you a little too much."
"Yes, and this is why I cannot see you getting hurt, especially when I am not there next to you, fighting and getting hurt with you.
Cirri must feel the same."
Igni spoke as he stared at his sister.
"Don't you think she is still too young…?"
Kael questioned, unsure.
I decided to place my trust in her. You should do the same."
The not-so-little Igni answered, staring at his sister, who was in Kael's arms. Kael did the same and stared at his daughter.
She appeared right in front of Kael's face and started rubbing her adorably soft forehead with Kael's.
Yes, the little Dragon was using her most lethal weapon—her cuteness, and…
Kael sighed, grabbing the little thing and holding her in his arms again. He couldn't let her win him over with that adorable face of hers.
He wouldn't fall that easily.
Igni spoke in a mature tone.
Cirri pleaded as well, and in the end…
"…alright, alright, I give in."
He stared at Cirri, and his eyes turned golden.
[Intelligence: 13 -> 18]
[Strengths: Intangible Form, High Mobility, Density Control]
[Weaknesses: Fragile in Solid Form, Energy Dependency, Vulnerable to Strong Winds]
Last night, after getting the Third Circle Spells from Elira, he had spent a few hours learning them all, reaching level 22, while little Cirri had grown to level 7.
Honestly, even now, Kael thought it was a little too early. Even Igni was 17 days old when he used Genesis of the Ancient on him, yet he still felt pain.
Cirri was his youngest child, his little princess. He didn't want her to feel any pain. However, recalling her face filled with tears every time he came out of the Crucible also made him clench his heart.
And with her continuously rubbing her head against his chest, trying to convince him in her own adorable way, it wasn't exactly easy to turn her down.